The Dog Wedding (2016)

This is a movie that has something for everyone.....relationships, dogs, wrestling, humor, business drama, jazz, and many unique characters. The movie is rare in the fact that it has ability to feel independent and quirky but appeal to a very mass audience. The movie is set in Arizona and involves a professional wrestler who meets a German business woman through their pet bulldogs. She is in Arizona on business to potentially shutdown a local food manufacturing facility and layoff the local workers. Her father is an overbearing CEO who demands her to only focus on the company. As you can imagine all the elements intertwine in a charming colorful story. I think viewers will enjoy this movie, yet appreciate that it is refreshingly creative and unique.

Super fun, sneaky smart romcom about mismatched people – a blonde bombshell pickle company exec and a giant tattooed pro wrestler – who meet at the dog park and discover they have a lot more in common. Film breezes along as an easy good time with bulldogs, canine wedding planning, wrestling matches, an awesome Beni-hana cosplay date, and funky bassa nova score. But best is how small details add up and you believe this odd couple throwing a dog wedding(!) makes total sense. The acting is top notch, with the revelation being Matt Bloom (WWE's Prince Albert), who was a totally natural sweetheart of a guy on and off screen (we met him at the NYC charity event for Long Island Bulldog Rescue). Rosalie Thomass is great as the engineer caught between The Manimal and her CEO Dad (ferociously funny Bernhard Schutz). The Germans all speak perfect English. Plus a real person named Queen Kong is wrestler's mother! Add in the Native American pickle factory managers, bodybuilders, wrestlers, and desert mystics…and you have a truly original good time of movie.

We had an honor to attend the premiere of the movie in New York City before it made it to the big screens nationwide, and had a pleasure to meet director and cast. Matt Bloom is HUGE when you stand next to him in person, and Rosalie Thomass is charming and not uptight at all :) Our own Lulu of Little Bites of the Big Apple blog was featured in the opening credits as a part of their pawsome Dog Wedding photo contest. The chemistry between the two characters on the screen is striking, and very unique and engaging plot keeps you guessing what will happen next. The dialogues are witty, and dogs are a major part of the play. If you are a dog parent or dog lover, we highly recommend watching this movie on a big screen or online! Congratulations to Mr. Lefkowitz and team on their outstanding work!

Highly recommend this film to dog lovers, wrestling fans, and general cinephiles. It's a fun and quirky rom-com about a clash of cultures and two pet-owners who go to extremes to celebrate their love for animals and eventually find romance. Set in the mystical landscape of Arizona, the story takes you on a peyote trip and underscores a need to support the disenfranchised Native American population. There's even a skosh of Japanese culture represented in the musice score and cosplay. Did I mention a pickle factory? Very eccentric film. Especially loved how it reverses gender roles of the two protagonists without stereotyping. The title sequence with dozens of dog photos in fancy tuxedos and wedding gowns was very well done. Can't wait to see the sequel!